The Faecal Microbiome of Building-Dwelling Insectivorous Bats (Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus hipposideros) also Contains Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Representatives

Gerbáčová, Katarína; Maliničová, Lenka; Kisková, Jana; Maslišová, Veronika; Uhrin, Marcel; Pristaš, Peter

doi:10.1007/s00284-020-02095-z

Cited by 22 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 63 publications

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“…Some genera identified in our samples, most of them in crusts, are also found in the guano of other caves in Europe, which are habitats for the same bat species. These are Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas, Paenibacillus, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, Rahnella, Micrococcus, Enterobacter, Lysinibacillus , and Sphingobacerium ( Tomova et al, 2013 ; Vandžurová et al, 2013 ; Veikkolainen et al, 2014 ; Vengust et al, 2018 ; Wolkers-Rooijackers et al, 2019 ; Dimkić et al, 2020 ; Gerbáčová et al, 2020 ). Their abundance did not dominate the microbial composition in our samples, but their presence could indicate a possible connection to the upper Guano Chamber.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

et al. 2022

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Muierilor Cave is one of Romania’s most important show caves, with paleontological and archeological deposits. Recently, a new chamber was discovered in the cave, with unique yellow calcite crystals, fine-grained crusts, and black sediments. The deposits in this chamber were related to a leaking process from the upper level that contains fossil bones and a large pile of guano. Samples were taken from the new chamber and another passage to investigate the relationship between the substrate and microbial community. Chemical, mineralogical, and whole community 16S rRNA gene-based metabarcoding analyses were undertaken, and the base of the guano deposit was radiocarbon dated. Our study indicated bacteria linked to the presence of high phosphate concentration, most likely due to the nature of the substrate (hydroxyapatite). Bacteria involved in Fe, Mn, or N cycles were also found, as these elements are commonly identified in high concentrations in guano. Since no bat colonies or fossil bones were present in the new chamber, a high concentration of these elements could be sourced by organic deposits inside the cave (guano and fossil bones) even after hundreds of years of their deposition and in areas far from both deposits. Metabarcoding of the analyzed samples found that ∼0.7% of the identified bacteria are unknown to science, and ∼47% were not previously reported in caves or guano. Moreover, most of the identified human-related bacteria were not reported in caves or guano before, and some are known for their pathogenic potential. Therefore, continuous monitoring of air and floor microbiology should be considered in show caves with organic deposits containing bacteria that can threaten human health. The high number of unidentified taxa in a small sector of Muierilor Cave indicates the limited knowledge of the bacterial diversity in caves that can have potential applications in human health and biotechnology.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

et al. 2022

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“…Bat bacteriome knowledge is still very scarce. Studies performed have indicated a relatively high diversity and function of bacterial species (Gerbáčová et al, 2020;Nguema et al, 2020). In several studies, it was observed that Gammaproteobacterial (with Enterobacteriaceae family in predominance) appears to be the prevalent bacterial group in the Chiroptera order, while Fusobacteria is less represented in comparison to other mammal species (Gerbáčová et al, 2020).…”

Section: Bats Bacteriome and Enteric Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies performed have indicated a relatively high diversity and function of bacterial species (Gerbáčová et al, 2020;Nguema et al, 2020). In several studies, it was observed that Gammaproteobacterial (with Enterobacteriaceae family in predominance) appears to be the prevalent bacterial group in the Chiroptera order, while Fusobacteria is less represented in comparison to other mammal species (Gerbáčová et al, 2020). The bacteriome will vary according to several extrinsic and intrinsic factors, such as season, sex, diet type, reproductive stage, and environmental factors (Gerbáčová et al, 2020).…”

Section: Bats Bacteriome and Enteric Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bats and Antibiotic Resistance: A Culprit or a Victim?

Garcês¹

2022

WVJ

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In the last decades, the increase of antimicrobial resistance bacteria has become a concern for public health. Bats’ ability to fly, form colonies for a long lifespan, and inhabit a variety of diverse ecological niches make them successful species in terms of adaptation and distribution on earth. Moreover, these characteristics let them act as the potential natural reservoir of numerous zoonotic pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi). Bat bacteriome knowledge is still very scarce, but a few studies have indicated that bats are hosts of antimicrobial resistance and play an important role in the dispersion of resistance in the environment. Moreover, bats are vulnerable to acquiring these pathogens since they sometimes live in close contact with humans and domestic animals. Therefore, the present study aimed to compile the latest studies that describe the presence of antibiotic-resistant in bats. Based on the papers analyzed for this review, it is possible to conclude that bats are hosts of pathogenic bacteria that carry numerous antibiotic resistance. Extended-spectrum b-lactamases (ESBLs) or Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus which nowadays days are a great public health concern, have already been reported in these animals, with some isolated strains being of Human origin. Although not completely understood regarding the dynamics and transmission routes, bats seem to have an important role in the dissemination and acquisition of antibiotic resistance in the environment. They can be contaminated by bacteria with antibiotic resistance and disperse through the environment. However, they also can be the host of bacteria that carry antibiotic resistance.

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“…Such is the case of Carlsbad Cavern and the Congress Street Bridge in Austin, Texas [7,8]. However, it is believed that bats can also have a negative impact on human health and act as a natural reservoir of many zoonotic pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, or fungi [9][10][11][12]. Due to their high mobility and a complex social life, bats can easily spread diseases among themselves, as well as transfer them to humans, posing a potential threat to all of us [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Greater Mouse-Eared Bats (Myotis myotis) Hibernating in the Nietoperek Bat Reserve (Poland) as a Vector of Airborne Culturable Fungi

Borzęcka

Piecuch

Kokurewicz

et al. 2021

Biology

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Bats can contribute to an increase of aeromycota in underground ecosystems and might be a vector/reservoir of microorganisms; however, there is no information about the number and species composition of fungi around hibernating bats. One of the most common species in Europe with direct human contact is the greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis). The goal of our research was the first report of the airborne fungi present in the close vicinity of hibernating M. myotis in the Nietoperek bat reserve (Western Poland) by the use of culture-based techniques and genetic and phenotypic identifications. Aerobiological investigations of mycobiota under hibernating bats were performed on two culture media (PDA and YPG) and at two incubation temperatures (7 and 24 ± 0.5 °C). Overall, we detected 32 fungal species from three phyla (Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Zygomycota) and 12 genera. The application of YPG medium and the higher incubation temperature showed higher numbers of isolated fungal species and CFU. Penicillium spp. were dominant in the study, with spores found outside the underground hibernation site from 51.9% to 86.3% and from 56.7% to 100% inside the bat reserve. Penicillium chrysogenum was the most frequently isolated species, then Absidia glauca, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. tubingensis, Mortierella polycephala, Naganishia diffluens, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Temperature, relative humidity, and the abundance of bats correlated positively with the concentration of airborne fungal propagules, between fungal species diversity, and the concentration of aeromycota, but the number of fungal species did not positively correlate with the number of bats. The air in the underground site was more contaminated by fungi than the air outside; however, the concentration of aeromycota does not pose a threat for human health. Nevertheless, hibernating bats contribute to an increase in the aeromycota and as a vector/reservoir of microscopic fungi, including those that may cause allergies and infections in mammals, and should be monitored.

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The Faecal Microbiome of Building-Dwelling Insectivorous Bats (Myotis myotis and Rhinolophus hipposideros) also Contains Antibiotic-Resistant Bacterial Representatives

Cited by 22 publications

References 63 publications

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

A 16S rRNA Gene-Based Metabarcoding of Phosphate-Rich Deposits in Muierilor Cave, South-Western Carpathians

Bats and Antibiotic Resistance: A Culprit or a Victim?

Greater Mouse-Eared Bats (Myotis myotis) Hibernating in the Nietoperek Bat Reserve (Poland) as a Vector of Airborne Culturable Fungi

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